France Rejects 4,000 Applications for Paris 2024 Olympics Amid Espionage Concerns

French security services have denied over 4,000 accreditation requests for the Paris 2024 Olympics due to concerns over espionage and cyberattacks. Out of nearly one million applications, some were rejected for connections to radical Islamist groups or suspicion of being foreign spies posing as journalists or technical staff.

French security services have rejected more than 4,000 applications for accreditations for the Paris 2024 Olympics, citing concerns over espionage and cyberattacks. The country's caretaker interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, revealed this on Sunday.

Darmanin noted that out of close to one million accreditation requests checked so far, 4,340 people were denied access to the Games. Reasons for rejection included suspected radical Islamist ties and suspicions of applicants being foreign spies, particularly from nations like Russia and Belarus.

Speaking to the weekly Journal du Dimanche, Darmanin said many had applied as journalists or technical staff. He emphasized that the precautionary principle is being applied. Despite these concerns, Darmanin reassured that there are no known threats to the Games, which will be safeguarded by 45,000 security personnel.

(With inputs from agencies.)